5 Things You Need to Tell Your Architectural Designer

When you’re making changes to your home, the last thing you want are subpar results. When you communicate well with your architectural designer, you can eliminate costly mistakes and help the entire process go smoothly. You will end up with a beautiful space that fills all your needs. Here are a few of the things to discuss with your architectural designer to ensure a great result.

1. What Are Your Goals – both Aesthetically and Functionally?

Your architectural designer has the skills to design a space that is perfectly tailored to your needs. However, before they can do that, they will need some key information about how you want your space to look and function.

Communicate your style goals, but also let your architect know how you and your family live and use the space. Tell them if you have kids or pets, whether you cook a lot, if you entertain large groups of friends and family, or need a retreat from your busy life. All this information will help them choose fixtures, finishes, storage options, and layouts that are ideal for your needs.

2. Be Honest About Your Budget for the Entire Project

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is not sharing the truth about their budget. Sharing your actual budget for the entire project allows your architectural designer to work within your means to give you what you want. Often, you can get a very similar result at a variety of price points.

Architects are great at coming up with creative ideas to stay within you budget. Let them know what you’re able to spend on the project, and they will be able to provide you with a realistic plan and a better end result.

3. Share Photos, Drawings, and other Inspiration

Some clients come prepared with magazine photos, Pinterest boards, or sketches of how they want things to look. This is an excellent way to share your vision for your project. You can share exactly what you like and dislike so your architectural designer has a better idea of your end goals.

4. Describe your “Must-Haves”

If something is important to you, make sure that you mention it from the beginning. Certain fixtures will affect the entire design. If you choose a specific fireplace, oven, or refrigerator, it will need to be integrated into the design. Not only are these objects large, but they require wiring, ducting, and/or plumbing work to be planned into your drawings.

Don’t surprise your designer halfway through the project by insisting on a certain fixture, as that could cost you extra time and money – let them know from the start.

5. What Type of Services Do You Want?

Some people just want to get their project drawn and then handle the rest of the project themselves. They believe that they can save money that way. However, most architecture firms offer complete services, from conception to the final touches, to help you avoid costly mistakes. Our optional Design-to-Build service is our comprehensive approach that keeps your project on track until the end.

Keeping your architectural designer involved through the entire build will save you time, money and headaches. They know what to say to the permit office and can communicate clearly with your builder. Overall, when you keep them involved, they will make the entire process go so much more smoothly.

Work with the pros at Drafting Cafe Architects to design your dream remodel. Let us know your inspiration and ideas, and our Architectural Designer will work to create the exact space you are looking for!